Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Heart Palpitations After Smoking?

I keep getting shortness of breath and palpitations after smoking. Yet I m an otherwise healthy individual who runs 15 miles a week. I don t get these symptoms after running or exercising only after smoking and have not had them before what is causing them or what cud they be
Mon, 12 Oct 2015
Report Abuse
Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
there are many possible reasons. They could be due to bad health issues or even paradoxically GOOD health issues.
First the bad:
if someone has blood vessels that are easily made to spasm, smoking often triggers it. This can even cause ahgina/heart pain/heart attack. If someone has asthma even if they don't know it, smoking can cause huge stresses on the lungs and this can trigger a variety of other consequences.

Then... if someone has good vessel tone and good blood pressure, this can change in EITHER direction with smoking and the blood pressure can paradoxically go down from vasodilation (vasoconstriction is MORE common). Smoking does have a mild effect on increasing heart rate. Someone with good vascular tone will have a lower heart rate and this could be more noticeable paradoxically because of good health.
I find this answer helpful
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Heart Palpitations After Smoking?

there are many possible reasons. They could be due to bad health issues or even paradoxically GOOD health issues. First the bad: if someone has blood vessels that are easily made to spasm, smoking often triggers it. This can even cause ahgina/heart pain/heart attack. If someone has asthma even if they don t know it, smoking can cause huge stresses on the lungs and this can trigger a variety of other consequences. Then... if someone has good vessel tone and good blood pressure, this can change in EITHER direction with smoking and the blood pressure can paradoxically go down from vasodilation (vasoconstriction is MORE common). Smoking does have a mild effect on increasing heart rate. Someone with good vascular tone will have a lower heart rate and this could be more noticeable paradoxically because of good health.